Here’s my two cents. Apologies if I’m repeating what others have said.
You can easily find nice places for under 2K in South Arlington. Part of the reason it costs less is because it is (depending on the spot) a little over a mile to the metro but that’s not a huge deal if you ride. Arlington Village has a wooded ravine and mature trees and there are other places in South Arlington. Barcroft Park is the only South Arlington park to speak of.
Del Ray is pleasant but doesn’t have a lot of nice places in the good section under 2K. There are more <2K by Potomac Yards which is kind of ugly in my opinion.
In DC, places to consider are SW below the 395 highway. Nice tree-lined streets. Cleveland Park is also nice and close to Rock Creek. Lots of apartment buildings along Connecticut and you could ride through Rock Creek which will give you a hill coming home. Close to the metro so paying more for that.
Also in DC, Glover Park is a really neat neighborhood and it has the price-advantage of not being super close to the metro. Nice trees, close to Glover-Archbold Park. Its kind of ecologically dead but then aren’t we all.
Finally, in DC, Brookland might be appealing. A little farther out so less expensive. Close to a nice trail into DC (Met Branch) but it does have periodic crime incidents.
Check Zillow for places too.
